One millionth Raspberry Pi computer manufactured

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has announced that a million of the tiny, cheap computers have now been manufactured within the UK.

The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized single-board computer developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation with the intention of promoting the teaching of basic computer science in schools. Although first developed in 2006, the models became widely available from 2012. The devices were originally made in China but they are now manufactured at Sony's Pencoed factory in South Wales.

Technologically, the devices are relatively simple — the Raspberry Pi primarily uses Linux kernel-based operating systems. They have, however, proved to be very popular worldwide as a teaching aid or those who wish to get started in putting a computer together. As an example of the possible applications, CNET devotes a page to "25 fun things to do with a Raspberry Pi."

According to PC Mag’s review: “The Raspberry Pi ($35, as tested), a tiny and brilliantly inexpensive proto-computer, encourages exactly the kind of exploration and tinkering that are nowadays often relegated to even the fringes of the DIY and enthusiast communities, and demands your active participation and intellectual engagement. But be forewarned: You cannot be a passive user. From the instant you pull it out of its box, you're fully committed, and if you don't know what you're doing, you're going to have to learn quickly.”

The group behind this computer is the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which is a charity founded in 2009 to promote the study of basic computer science in schools.

Such is the success of the do-it-yourself computer model that the Foundation announced on October 8, 2013, that they had now manufactured one million computer kits in the UK (and 1.75 million in total).